The head of our Private Client Department, Ms. Catherine Por, attended an Evaluative Mediation Training Course organized by The Hong Kong Academy of Law between 16, 17 and 18 November 2018. The Course was presented by Professor John Wade, the Emeritus Professor of Law of Bond University, Australia.

Professor Wade is a well-respected mediator, trainer and academic in the field of mediation. Although Professor Wade has previously taught many mediation courses in Hong Kong, this was the first course on Evaluative Mediation. It was recognized by the participants that even the definition of “Evaluative Mediation” was a challenging topic. An accepted description is that it is a process whereby parties to a dispute attempt to negotiate an acceptable solution with the assistance, ideas and advice from an Evaluative Mediator. This is seen to be distinguishable from Facilitative Mediation in that the mediator, in an evaluative mediation, actually provides advice, opinions and recommendations as to the outcome of the dispute.

There is clearly an interest in Hong Kong in the broadening of mediation as an alternative process in dispute resolution. Catherine Por was very pleased to have participated in this potential new initiative for Hong Kong.

In 2009, the Department of Justice launched a campaign called “Mediate First Pledge” to promote the use of mediation to resolve disputes in Hong Kong. Stevenson, Wong & Co. signed the Mediate First Pledge and is committed to first exploring the use of mediation in resolving disputes. In May of this year, the Department of Justice organized Mediation Week 2018. The theme was “Mediate First-Exploring New Horizons”. It sought to look ahead at future developments including online dispute resolution and the use of mediation in resolving international commercial disputes.

Should you have any queries in connection with mediation, please contact Ms. Catherine Por.

Stevenson, Wong & Co. partner Ms. Sherlynn Chan and senior associate Ms. Hazel Wong were invited to be one of the mentors for Outreach Legal Talks Initiative. The Outreach Legal Talks Initiative will provide free talks to St James’ Settlement and delivered by law students from The University of Hong Kong to the elderly. These talks will cover common legal issues as well as providing practical solutions.

On 13 November 2018, a training workshop was held at our firm where Ms. Sherlynn Chan and Ms. Hazel Wong explained the legal concepts regarding wills and probate, MIP, advance medical directive, guardianship and joint account to the law students. Meanwhile, they shared their practical experience to the students.

Please contact Ms. Sherlynn Chan or Ms. Hazel Wong for any enquiries.

On 10 November 2018, Stevenson, Wong & Co. partners Ms. Heidi Chui and Mr. Stephen Wong, associate Mr. Gordon Tsang, paralegal Mr. Harold Gan and administrative officer Ms. Susan Lo attended the AllBright Securities and Capital Markets Committee’s Annual Meeting and Legal Forum in Chengdu. The annual meeting and forum was well received and drew more than 300 attendees from Shanghai and from their other offices.

The annual meeting was held in the morning and was moderated by senior partner Mr. Fang Xiaojie. Managing Director of AllBright Law Office Mr. Gu Gong Yun gave the welcome speech and he said he had a high expectation of the future business development of capital markets. The legal forum was held in the afternoon and was moderated by senior partner Mr. Xu Jun, followed by the ceremony for the relocation of Chengdu Office.

From left to right: SW partner Ms. Heidi Chui, senior partner from Chengdu Office Mr. Yun Zhi and SW partner Mr. Stephen Wong

From left to right: SW partner Ms. Heidi Chui, senior partner from AB Mr. Liu Min Xuan and SW partner Mr. Stephen Wong

Ms. Xiao Qin and Mr. Stephen Wong

Please contact Ms. Heidi Chui, Mr. Stephen Wong or Mr. Gordon Tsang for further information.

On 5 November 2018, “Hong Kong Legal Service “Enter into Chinese Enterprises”——“Enter into Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited” Legal Business Conference was successfully held at the headquarter of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited. The Conference was held by the Hong Kong and Mainland Legal Professional Association and supported by the Legal Department of the Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government. The Conference attracted many leading professionals from the legal and banking fields. Ms. Heidi Chui, Partner of Stevenson, Wong & Co., was invited to be the guest speaker.

Ms. Heidi Chui shared about the cutting-edge and influential topic on “The Updated Application and Judicial Utilization of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in Dispute Resolution”.

After the speakers gave their presentations, Ms. Chui shared her thoughts and experience on legal issues related to Blockchain and DLT with the host Ms. Carmen Kan, General Manager of Legal & Compliance and Operational Risk Management Department of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, together with Mr. Rocky Cheng, General Manager of Information Technology, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited.

The audience actively participated in the Q&A interaction with speakers. The Conference enabled the participants to gain deeper insights into the application and utilization of Blockchain and DLT in the banking industry as well as the legal issues.

Please contact Ms. Heidi Chui at heidiChui.office@sw-hk.com for any enquiries or further information.

On 3 November, 2018, the Partner of Stevenson, Wong & Co. Ms. Heidi Chui was invited to speak at the University of Hong Kong Information Day at the Law Faculty as alumni, to share her experience and practice with potential law students.

Ms. Chui’s sharing was inspiring and well received by the audience.

For more information, please contact our partner Ms. Heidi Chui at heidichui.office@sw-hk.com.

On 24-27 October 2018, Stevenson, Wong & Co. Partners Mr. Willy Cheng and Ms. Lai Lam attended the Interlaw 2018 Annual Global Meeting held in Paris. The Annual Global Meeting was well attended by more than 140 delegates from multiple jurisdictions.

The theme of the Annual Global meeting was “Globalization under Protection”. The meeting focused on the impact of globalization on the increasing political trend of countries adopting more protectionist policies and regulations. Professor Philippe Dessertine from Paris Sorbonne University delivered a speech on the topic of “Globalization Under Protection”. Ms. Jo Aitken Summers also gave a presentation on “Responding to New Challenges. Delivering for Clients in a New Global Era”. Mr. Nick Davies gave a presentation and held a workshop on “Winning International Pitches – Influence and Persuasion” and “Winning International Pitches – How to Engage your Audience in your Presentation”.

During the event, Mr. Cheng attended several Special Business Team Meetings including “Managing Partners’ Breakfast”, “Mergers and Acquisitions” and “Employment, Labour and Pensions”. Ms. Lam is the Asia Pacific Chair of Interlaw’s Diversity, Inclusion & Community Group and co-chaired the Diversity, Inclusion and Community Breakfast on 25 October. She also attended the Special Business Team Meetings on “Sports Media and Entertainment” and “Global IP/IT”.

Stevenson, Wong & Co. will host the Interlaw 2019 Asia Pacific Regional Meeting between 20 February and 23 February 2019. We look forward to meeting and welcoming delegates and guests to Hong Kong.

From left to right: Peter Dernbach, Lai Lam, Nick Daviea, Carol Friend and Brett Hearnden

Please contact Mr. Willy Cheng or Ms. Lai Lam for any enquiries or further information about this event.